They’re not all on the same political team, but Oilers fever has brought MPs together

They’re not all on the same political team, but members of Parliament have caught the same fever.

Support for the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final has swept the country, and that includes Ottawa.

Some MPs are setting their political differences aside Monday evening to gather in Speaker Greg Fergus’s office, watch the game and eat popcorn — reviving a long tradition on Parliament Hill.

“Speaker Fergus is cheering for the Oilers all the way,” said his spokesperson Mathieu Gravel.

The Speaker’s office hosted a hockey night for a Toronto Maple Leafs game in the first round of the playoffs several weeks ago.

And previous Speakers going back to Geoff Regan have hosted hockey nights during late sittings for Canadian teams competing in the playoffs, said Gravel.

A few weeks ago, NDP MP Heather McPherson found herself at Toronto Pearson Airport watching the Oilers clinch their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as she waited to board her plane to Ottawa with Conservative MPs.

“It was kind of funny when we did win the game, and gave the high-fives and hugs to members across the floor,” said McPherson, whose family members have been longtime Oilers season ticket holders.

For the final round, McPherson has painted her nails orange and blue — a colour combination not typically seen in the House of Commons.

As she gears up for Monday’s game, she said she hopes her late-night parliamentary committee wraps up early so she and others can watch Game 2 of the final playoff round.

“I think it’s an opportunity for us all to remember that we’re all people doing a job, and working hard, and even if we’re not on the same political team we can be on the same sports team,” McPherson said.